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Grand Lake, La. – February 15, 2010. Although knee-deep mud delayed construction, Grand Lake Apostolic Church was finished in time to hold its first service in the new building on time last Sunday.
The Rev. Trevor Kelley and his wife, Deana, started in 2006, with services in their living room as a United Pentecostal mission church. They eventually moved into a 20 foot-by-30 foot metal building, but the congregation outgrew that, as well.
“It’s a tight fit, and we are packed in like sardines at times,” said Deana Kelley.
The Rev. Kelley’s background in missions with the United Pentecostal Church International led him to seek help from its “Church in a Day” program, started in 1997 to help mission and small churches that are unable to build freestanding churches on their own. The program has built more than 112 churches nationwide, and the Grand Lake Apostolic Church was its second in Louisiana.
The denomination’s Home Mission Division pays for building materials, and labor is volunteer, said the Rev. Brian Montgomery of Winnfield, a residential builder who directs Church in a Day projects in Louisiana.
“So they are able to get into a nice facility that will sit about 100 people for a fraction of the cost,” he said.
Preparation began Feb. 4 in a steady downpour.
Feb. 5 and 6 were clear. By noon on Feb. 5, more than 300 volunteers had waded in mud to help raise the walls and put the roof on the new church.
Volunteers from Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia worked in shifts. Construction continued throughout Feb. 5 and into the next day.
Feb. 6 was filled with sheet-rock, painting, flooring and other finishing touches to prepare the building for its first service on Feb. 7.
“We just want to thank everyone for all the hard work and donations. This new building will help our church grow to the next level to help our congregation and community,” said the Rev. Kelley.
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